Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Defence for each year in the past five years (a) how many full-time National Servicemen (NSF) have requested assistance due to financial hardship after enlistment; (b) how many NSF receive SAF financial assistance; (c) what is the average dollar quantum and type of assistance provided to such applicants; (d) what is the average duration of time for processing and addressing such cases; and (e) how many cases of NSF Absent without Official Leave (AWOL) charges have been associated with financial hardship.

Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman: 

NSFs who require financial support can apply for Term Financial Assistance (TFA), which is monthly assistance that can be provided for as long as the NSFs are serving their full-time NS. The TFA eligibility criteria and quantum provided are similar to public financial assistance schemes. Family size, income and expenditure needs are considered and additional support is provided for families with school-going children and/or members with recurrent medical conditions. 

In processing applications, commanders conduct interviews and home visits to better understand their NSFs' family situation. About 80% of the applications are approved and on average, about 120 NSFs receive the TFA. Sums range from under a hundred to a few thousand dollars each month and for an average of eight months. The TFA grants were given to most recipients within two weeks of submitting the completed application.

In addition to the TFA, their Commanding Officer (CO) or Department Head can extend quick financial aid in the form of a one-off Contingency Grant of up to $500, or the Welfare Grant for higher amounts. These schemes benefit more than 50 NSFs each year.     

Over the last five years, a minority of NSF AWOL offenders convicted in the General Court Martial cited financial hardship as the main reason; about 28 cases a year, constituting about 14% of all offenders.